Whether you love a long, relaxing soak in the tub or prefer a refreshing shower to wash away the day’s stress, hot water is an absolute essential. With so many hot water system options available, making the right choice can feel pretty overwhelming. But here’s the thing—not all hot water systems are created equal. The system you choose can completely transform your daily routine and overall comfort.
No need to stress, though! We’ve prepared an easy-to-follow guide that covers the key factors to consider when selecting the perfect hot water system for your home. Plus, we’ll walk you through the most popular types out there. Keep reading to find your ideal fit!
Choosing the Right Hot Water System for Your Household
Before we get into evaluating different hot water system types, we first need to understand what factors need to be considered. These are the things that are essential for your family and what will have the greatest impact both positively and negatively.
Hot Water Demand
The most important factor of a hot water system is the capacity to meet your needs. Consider how much hot water your household uses on a daily basis. Do you have a large mob that takes lengthy hot showers every night, or are there just a couple of you who like brisk showers?
Whatever your situation, you need to choose a hot water system that will effectively meet those demands without running cold.
Running Costs
The second most important factor is cost. Unfortunately, money is what makes the world go round and we can’t afford to waste it. To prevent your hot water usage from becoming a financial burden, be sure to carefully consider the initial and ongoing costs of each type of system.
Remember, a more expensive system to buy and install could be cheaper to run and vice versa, so be sure to consider all the costs involved.
Installation
Next, don’t forget the installation. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing system or install one on a new build, it’s important to consider all aspects of the installation. This includes the costs involved, the complexity for your property, and what professional services you will need and how long before they can do your job.
Installation considerations are important for ensuring a seamless replacement or connection that doesn’t break the bank or leave you waiting for too long without reliable hot water.
Environmental Considerations
Finally, you should consider the environment in everything you do. Even if it’s not your top factor, it should at least be on the list. Take some time to consider the long-term environmental impacts of each option.
It’s also important to note that energy-efficient and eco-friendly options can also translate to savings in your wallet. So, with a little thought, you can choose an option that benefits both you and the planet.
Common Hot Water System Types
Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at your options and what they each offer. There are three main types of hot water systems in Australia: electric, solar and gas. All three are great for different reasons, but they all have different drawbacks also. That’s why it’s important to consider all of your options and your circumstances before jumping into a decision.
To make the decision really simple for you, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons for each:
Electric Hot Water Systems
Electric hot water systems are operated by your home’s electricity supply and are still the most common in Australian homes for many reasons. They are a great and affordable option for many families initially, however, it’s important to consider the long-term running costs and potential impacts if you lose power. Here are some of the key pros and cons of eclectic hot water systems.
Pros:
- Simple installation: Electric systems are easy to install and integrate with your electricity and plumbing systems.
- Easy Use: These systems are easy for homeowners to use and operate, running automatically off your home’s electricity.
- Lower Initial Costs: Electric systems are affordable to purchase and can be cheaper to install than other options.
- Widely Available: Many plumbing suppliers will always have a stock of electric systems available to purchase ensuring little wait time.
- Integration with Solar Panels: If you have solar panels installed, you can reduce running costs by setting your system to only heat during sunlight hours.
Cons:
- Higher Running Costs: The major drawback of electric systems is that they can cost more to run as they require electricity, especially if you don’t have a solar system.
- Require Electricity: These systems will stop heating if their power supply is lost, such as during power outages.
- Environmental Impacts: As they require electricity, these systems can have a higher carbon footprint than other options.
- Long Heating Time: If you ever run out of hot water or lose power and your tank cools, it can take a long time for the water to heat up again.
Solar Hot Water Systems
Solar hot water systems represent a major innovation in Australian technology, allowing you to heat your water through the power of the sun. This makes them a great option for eco-conscious homeowners, and those who want to save a dollar. Here are a few of the pros and cons of solar hot water systems.
Pros:
- Eco-Friendly Option: Solar water heaters significantly reduce your carbon footprint as they rely on renewable and natural energy from the sun.
- Lower Running Costs: Sunlight is readily available and free, making it a great option to save money on operating costs.
- Government Incentives: Eligible homeowners in Queensland can receive between $800-$1,000 to install 4-star rated solar hot water systems. In South Australia, the rebate is between $750 – $1,050.
Cons:
- Higher Investment: Solar water heaters can be relatively expensive to purchase and install upfront.
- Dependant on Sunlight: On rainy or overcast days when the sun hides away, solar water heaters can be less effective leading to insufficient hot water.
- May Need a Backup: It is recommended to have a small backup system for solar water heaters to cover heavy use, especially on days when the sun is unable to reliably heat your system.
Gas Hot Water Systems
Gas hot water systems are another great option for homeowners looking for a reliable and high-quality solution to heat their water. They are becoming an increasingly popular choice due to their many advantages, however, there are some important safety concerns to keep in mind.
Here are the pros and cons of choosing gas-hot water systems.
Pros:
- Lower Running Costs: Gas tends to be considerably cheaper to run than electricity, making it a great way to save money on your energy bills.
- Fast Heating: Gas systems offer fast, almost instantaneous heating, which makes them ideal for larger households that use a lot of hot water.
- Heat to Demands: These systems are designed to heat continuously as hot water is required, this helps to minimise energy wastage from heating water unnecessarily, while ensuring that you always have adequate hot water.
Cons:
- Higher Initial Costs: Gas systems can be more expensive to install and purchase, especially if you need to have lines run for natural gas.
- Safety Concerns: If not properly maintained, gas water heaters can leak leading to significant safety concerns for your household.
- Gas Availability: Not all houses have access to natural gas supplies, this means you would need to purchase bottled gas alternatives such as LPG. This is still a great, affordable option, however, can be slightly inconvenient and can risk running out, leaving you with cold water.
Choose the Ideal Hot Water System for Your Home
By considering all of these factors and the benefits and drawbacks of each type of hot water system, you should be able to see your way clear through the brain fog to find the perfect option for your home. The most important thing is to take your time to carefully consider all of the information in front of you instead of making a rushed decision.
If you need a little extra advice, our hot water system experts at Mario’s can help! Our team can offer tailored advice along with reliable installation or replacement for whichever option suits you best.
